Natural Bug Repellent

**MCBushbaby** · 01-05-2009, 11:23 AM

George Washington Sears recommends the following for bug lotion:

3 parts pine tar
2 parts castor oil
1 part pennyroyal oil
Simmer together and bottle.

Ok, but my quick readings of pennyroyal oil say it's toxic and causes acute damage to liver and lung (if used as aromatherapy... figure it'd be the same effect if slathered on your body and face). Anyone more familiar with this?

It seems like a great insect repellent and there are numerous stories on google of people adding a bit of pennyroyal to standard DEET repellents to increase the effectiveness. So it works, but am I going to get lung lesions as a result? lol

**RBB** · 01-05-2009, 12:09 PM

My grandfather always had tansy growing around his place - said it kept the mosquitoes away. Seemed to. For keeping them off in the woods he ate a raw onion every day (he'd chomp it down like an apple). That seemed to work too, but it didn't do much for his breath.

**tsitenha** · 01-05-2009, 04:06 PM

One of my grandfathers used to eat garlic, maybe the same or similar effect as onions (at least with people)

**Ole WV Coot** · 01-06-2009, 02:23 AM

Garlic seems to help, tried it myself. If you can take sweating it thru your pores and like to sleep alone.

**CreekWalker** · 01-06-2009, 05:24 PM

Originally Posted by tsitenha

One of my grandfathers used to eat garlic, maybe the same or similar effect as onions (at least with people)

I have a lot of wild garlic on my farm and I prefer it to store bought garlic and trust me if you sweat nothing will want to get close to you. There are times when I think "dang boy you stink". As a repellent I going to have to give it a mixed review. Sometimes it seems to work and sometimes it doesn't. Another insect repellent you might want to try is crushed sassafras leaves spread on the body. When I go camping I will always cut small sassafras boughs and put them in my shelter (that is if I'm not using a commercial shelter)

**S.E.R.E Guy** · 01-08-2009, 01:01 AM

A good natural one is Yaro if you break it up and smear the juices on your face , and just throw a piece behind each ear, but the only down fall is it only lasts for about 15-20 minutes

**red lake** · 01-08-2009, 09:00 PM

I got this stuff made by some lady in Cloyne Ontario. All natural, had stuff like lemon grass and coconut.

Went on not greasy and lasted forever. Worked great.

I used to wear it all the time until somebody pointed out it was like putting icing on a sandwich for a Bear. Never felt comfortable wearing it in Bear country after that.

**primitiveroots** · 01-08-2009, 09:52 PM

I use essential oils in an olive oil/castor oil base. My favorites are rose geranium & lemongrass oils. Both of these work well. Rose geranium is supposed to help ward off ticks. My all-time favorite for mosquitoes is catnip. I believe they sell an essential oil which I haven't used. But what I do do, is infuse olive oil with dried catnip over a low heat. When it's done, I either make a salve or use at is. It works amazing for mosquitoes but some fear it may attract bees. I never use it during the day so I can't say. If you try, it let me know what you think.

**Ole WV Coot** · 01-08-2009, 10:32 PM

I still have a bottle of Woodsman Fly Dope bought in Edmunton, NB years ago. It works, but stinks and you have to bury your clothes, won't even burn. Bet that jacket is good as new in the woods just N. of Van Buren, ME after 50yrs.

**catfish10101** · 01-09-2009, 12:29 AM

That catnip and o/o sounds interesting. I'm gonna have to try it on these Louisiana vampires we got.......might have to get rid of the cat though. LOL

**Stairman** · 01-09-2009, 03:46 AM

Ive heard wax myrtle repels bugs and burning dried cattails also.I like my Shannons bug tamer jacket/hood,pants and gloves.Not natural either but thermo-cells work great.

**wareagle69** · 01-09-2009, 08:44 AM

Originally Posted by tsitenha

One of my grandfathers used to eat garlic, maybe the same or similar effect as onions (at least with people)

two reasons to eat garlic, one is the health effects of eating raw garlic and second (although i have yet to prove this ) is the affect of bugs, i have juststarted eating galic half a clove a day for now last dec, by spring i should be up to a full clove a day, i like being alone anyways so if it keeps folks away from me then thats benfit number 3

**swampmouse** · 02-17-2009, 02:58 AM

Originally Posted by Stairman

Ive heard wax myrtle repels bugs and burning dried cattails also.I like my Shannons bug tamer jacket/hood,pants and gloves.Not natural either but thermo-cells work great.

Works Well! Wax myrtle is all over the swamps and easy to apply, crush and rub on.